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Thursday, March 8, 2012

29 percent smartphone owners use their phones as shopping companions.

A Nielsen study finds thats smartphone owners
are using their devices to help make purchases more than ever, with 29
percent of all owners taking advantage of retail-related apps.

A new study
from Nielsen’s upcoming United States Digital Consumer Report states
that 29 percent of all smartphone users utilize their mobile devices to
aid in shopping-related activities, whether online or in stores. Are we
surprised the numbers seem relatively low even though numerous apps have
been created to help consumers do everything from compare prices, scan
barcodes and read product reviews with just a tap and a swipe of a
finger?

The report finds that smartphone owners use their phones for price
comparison the most, with 38 percent checking prices online while they
are browsing items in stores. This method makes sense, as online prices
tend to be a bit cheaper if you don’t mind waiting for the item to
arrive via mail. Shoppers also seem to prefer ordering items online
after they have inspected the product in person to see what they should
be anticipating, or if it’s even worth buying. The ability to test items
out in stores is something apps cannot replicate despite the many
videos and photo gallery previews.